Islamic history is full of exceptional events and great miracles. Muharram ul haram is one of the significant months in the Islamic calendar. It is the first month of Islamic calendar (the Lunar calendar has 29 or 30 days in a month). The starting ten days of Muharram are more significant than the other days. Because of the battle of Karbala and the sacrifice of Imam Hussain and his family. Alongside, Different religious events also occurred during the month of Muharram ul haram.
Events that took place in the month of Muharram
Muharram ul haram is a sacred month and a lot of important religious events occurred during this month. Allah tested some of his prophets in this month. Here is the list of three most significant events that occurred in the month of Muharram.
Specifically we can say on the 10th of Muharram ul haram also known as the day of Ashura:
The prophet Musa (Mosses) crossed the red sea on the 10th of Muharram
The Firon was the cruel leader of his time he wanted everyone to call him lord and worship him. The Prophet Musa (A.S) refused to worship him so the Pharaoh turned against him and wanted to kill him. On the 10th of Muharram with the order of Allah.
The Prophet Musa (A.S) along with a few of his followers left that place and the Firon sent his army behind them. When Musa (A.S) reached the red sea, it split up into two halves. Prophet Musa (A.S) and his followers crossed the river easily and the pharaoh got to sink in the sea. Allah rewarded Musa (A.S) for his firm belief and devotion. After that, every year on the 10th of Muharram Musa (A.S) used to fast to thank Allah.
The Prophet Nuh’s ark landed on mount Judi on the 10th of Muharram
The Prophet Nuh (A.S) asked people to stop worshipping a false god but they refused and treated him very badly. Therefore, Allah ordered the Nuh(A.S) to build an ark. To leave the place with a few essential things like food, tools, and a pair of animals with them. Prophet Nuh (A.S) did the same and left that place with his followers. The flood occur and everything floated away. The Prophet Nuh (A.S) and his followers were safe and then after a few days. Their ship landed on a mountain on the 10th of Muharram ul Haram.
Imam Hussain (R.A) got martyred on the 10th of Muharram
The dearest grandson of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) got martyred by Yazid in the field of Karbala on the 10th of the Muharram.
History of Karbala
Muharram ul haram is the month of sorrow and pain for all Muslims across the world. This month the beloved family of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) went through a lot of pain and sacrifices and got martyred in the field of Karbala. As Hazrat Hassan (R.A), who was the elder brother of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) made a pact which says that Ahl Al Bayt would be taking all of the religious decisions. The Yazid wanted Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) to allegiance him which was denied by Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A )by saying: Yazid is a cruel person who kills people without Any reason and I don’t pledge the allegiance of Someone like Yazid.
Invitation of Ubaid Ullah
It all started with the invitation of Ubaid Ullah to Imam Hussain (R.A). In this invitation, he invited him to guide the people of Kufa. However, it is said that the letter was truly sent by the people of Kufa. Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) accepted that invitation. In 60 Hijri Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) along with his sixteen family members and seventy-two followers left Medina to reach Kufa.
Muslim Ibn Aqil, a cousin of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) was sent by him to look out at the behavior of the people of Kufa and to check if everything is right in Kufa. With his advice, they would decide whether to enter the Kufa or not, but his cousin got killed on his way. While on the way to Kufa Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) with his companions were forced by the army of Yazid and on the day of 2nd Muharram, they reached Karbala. They established their camps in the field of Karbala which was surrounded by the army of Yazid.
Karbala
The Yazid cut off the water supply of the caravan and by the 7th of Muharram, the camp was completely cased out of the water. The children were crying out of thirst and then the 10th Muharram (The Day of Ashura) arrived on Karbala’s soil. It was the day when the blood was shed, for the sake of Islam. 72 people sacrificed their lives to save the ummah and Islam. By noon, 70 courageous persons had bravely sacrificed their lives. They all fought under the conditions of severe thrist and dehydration. Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) heard his youngest son Ali Asghar crying out of thrist (who was only 6 months old).
He was not able to see his son suffering from thirst so, he took his son in his arms and appealed to the enemies to give some water to his son but the cruel and stone-hearted men instead of giving water pulled out an arrow toward the baby and instantly killed him.
The baby departed this world in his father’s hands. Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) felt a wave of pain. Now, he was all alone against an army of thousands. He bravely stood against the army and fought till his last breath.
As he collapsed to the ground at that time one of the enemy fighters removed his precious and noble head which was often kissed by Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w) and took the noble head 600 miles away to Yazid. For three days, the bodies of the martyred were lying on the soil of Karbala.
Who buried them?
The people of Bani Asad helped bury them. The battle of Karbala is the most cruelest and tragic story which was ever seen in the history of humanity. Despite being the cause of this tragic incident Yazid never achieved what he planned. Within three years, he died at the age of thirty-three and the rule of bani Umayyad came to an end.
Here are the few significant things you need to know about:
What was the relation of the Holy Prophet PBUH with Imam Hassan (R.A) and Husain (R.A)?
Imam Hassan (R.A) and Imam Hussain (R.A) were the grandsons of the Holy Prophet PBUH. The youngest daughter of the Holy Prophet PBUH, Bibi Fatima got married to Hazrat Ali (R.A) and Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain were their sons. Imam Hassan (R.A) was the elder one. The Holy Prophet loved both of them very much that he used to cherish them and play with them. Prophet said about Hussain (R.A): “I am from Hussain and Hussain is from me. May Allah love those who love Hussain”. Once holy prophet was asked which of the people of the house are the most beloved to him and he answered: Al Hassan and Al Husain. Holy prophet loved them so much that he used to say to bibi Fatima call my two sons for me and when they come the Holy Prophet PBUH hug them and smell them.
Why do Muslims fast on the 9th or 10th Muharram?
Contrastive to the fast of Ramadan, the fast of Ashura is not compulsory but Muslims fast on the 9th and 10th Muharram in remembrance and respect.
As stated earlier, many significant events in Islamic history occurred during this month. Hence, some people fast to monumentalize the faithfulness of the Prophet Musa (A.S), the compliance of the Prophet Nuh (A.S), and the death of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A), and different people have different beliefs about the fast of Ashura.
Some people also believe that they are fasting to ask for forgiveness of the sins they committed last year so they can enter the new year with a pure and clean heart. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to fast on the day of Ashura and encouraged others to do the same. The prophet PBUH said that: “Other than the month of Ramadan, the best time to fast is in the month of Muharram”.
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